As the role of the Free Library shifts in our increasingly digitized and online world, Eyes on the Streetwonders what will come of the Central Branch’s Special Collections—which “help make the Free Library a world-class public institution,” the piece opines. Yet as auction houses seek to appraise the contents of these storied collections, many wonder if making the library’s prints and maps a larger focus could revitalize this, yet another of the Parkway’s cultural nodes.

The University City Review was on hand for last Monday night’s public meeting on Lancaster Avenue, where members of the community bemoaned a relative lack of police presence in the area. Yet the main focus of the meeting appeared to be the urgings to improvement the many neighborhoods that run along West Philly’s Market and Lancaster corridors.

About the author

Stephen Currall recently received his BA in history from Arcadia University. Before beginning doctoral studies, he is pursuing his interest in local history, specifically just how Philadelphians engage their vibrant past. Besides skimming through 18th century letters, Steve is also interested in music and travel.

Recent Posts

Since 2009, 28 churches have been demolished in Philadelphia. Is development pressure to blame? Partners for Sacred Places staffer and Hidden City contributor Rachel Hildebrandt says yes and does the math on the unabating trend > more

Nearly four years after Hidden City proposed relocating the forlorn Newkirk Viaduct Monument from the side of the train tracks to the forthcoming Bartram's Mile segment of the Schuylkill River Trail system... that has happened. Brad Maule has the story of the 177-year-old monument's relocation > more

The Center City Concourse, a network of underground pedestrian walkways, has sat empty and largely unused for decades. But big plans are in the works to reopen and reanimate the dead space. Samantha Smyth and Chandra Lampreich takes us into the abandoned tunnels with this photo essay > more